Vol. 86 Issue 11 • Single copies free • Feb. 11, 2012 • 210-486-1773 • theranger.org
This week Library exhibit celebrates black women In honor of Black History Month, the library presents an exhibit of the found artwork of a local artist called, “Shifting Views: The Art of Bernice A. Appelin-Williams.” The exhibit on the second and fourth floors of Moody Learning Center celebrates the theme “Black Women in American History and Culture.” Appelin-Williams makes art out of nothing, Librarian Eileen Oliver said. As a collector of eccentric materials, she is known for her unique creations made from scratch. The artist will be available during a reception 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday on the fourth floor of Moody. The exhibit is sponsored by the Black History Month Committee. For more information, call Judi Clark at 210-4860589. Rebecca Salinas
Empowerment center helps manage stress The empowerment center will sponsor a weekly stress management support group from 2 p.m.3 p.m. Thursdays in the center at Howard and Evergreen streets. The support group started because students are stressed about time management, test anxiety, and juggling school and work, Counselor Carolina Trevino said. Discussions will include understanding the causes of stress; relaxation techniques; family, school and work demands in conflict; health and wellness; time management; and test anxiety. Students will benefit from meetings with an emotional connection of sharing experiences, support, and understanding how to work through common student stress issues, she said. “It will teach coping skills,” Trevino said. For more information call the empowerment center at 210486-0455. Janeka Porter
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Engineering sophomore Hyrum Hilario and paralegal sophomore Mario Gutierrez train during boxing practice Jan. 24 in the craft room of Loftin. Boxing coach Hector Ramos raises the thermostat to increase the stamina and endurance of the athletes, who are
training for the Golden Gloves event Feb. 21-23 in the Woodlawn Gymnasium at 1103 Cincinnati. An Olympic-style boxing event will be 11 a.m. March 30 in the mall on campus. Ingrid Wilgen
Counseling moves to early college The counseling center has moved temporarily to the early college program building between the chemistry and geology building and Nail Technical Center during renovation of the first floor of Moody Learning Center. By FAITH David Rodriguez, director DUARTE of counseling and advising services, said renovation should be fduarte3@student. alamo.edu completed in July. He said once finished, the transfer center, counseling and advising services, career services and the veteran affairs office will move back to the first floor of Moody. Disability support services, currently in Chance Academic Center, will relocate to Moody after construction, he said. Student development classes meet on the second floor of the early college program building and in portable buildings near the intersection of Locust Street and Main Avenue, north of the chemistry and geology annex. The student development department will
move permanently to the early college program building after the renovation is complete, Rodriguez said. Rodriguez said the move began in October, but the center could not shut down its services because of spring registration, the center’s busiest time. The counseling center continued services Jan. 12 after closing the week of Jan. 9 to finish moving, but online capabilities ensure services are available. “Just about anything that you can get done face-to-face coming in here can be done online,” he said. In addition to academic advising for first-time students and students who are undecided on a major, personal counseling is available for students in crisis situations, Rodriguez said. Students can meet with counselors for three private sessions before receiving an off-campus referral. Counselors assess students’ situations and try
to resolve them within three private sessions per semester; otherwise, they refer students to offcampus counselors. Licensed counselors have private offices and other counselors advise students in group offices but can meet in private if the student needs to disclose sensitive information, Rodriguez said. “Licensed counselors are held to a higher standard,” he said. “There are certain standards of privacy that we need to maintain.” For example, he said an adviser could stop the session if it started getting personal. Rodriguez said he also could vacate his office if an adviser needs a room to discuss a student’s issue. “We can make those accommodations,” he said. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every first Saturday. There are no office hours on other weekends. For more information, call 210-486-0334.
District migrates student email accounts Over winter break, student email accounts were migrated from servers owned by the Alamo Colleges district to Microsoft Outlook, a product that includes an email By JOSHUA application, calFECHTER endar and other Microsoft features. jfechter @student. alamo.edu Dr. Thomas Cleary, vice chancellor of planning, performance and information systems, said the district wanted to give students greater capabilities to communicate with one another and more storage space. According to the district website,
students’ inboxes will have 10 GB of storage, 25 MB of total email size, and 18 MB that can be used for email attachments. Additionally, students will have access to 25 GB of online storage via Windows Live SkyDrive, a free online storage service, where they can share store, access and share files. Students also will have access to online versions of Microsoft Office applications as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. The district website has instructions on how to sync student email accounts on mobile devices.
Students also may set student email accounts to forward emails to a personal email account. Cleary said about 240,000 accounts were migrated Dec. 19-25. He said out of the about 60,000 students attending the Alamo Colleges, about 45,000 have accessed the new account. Instead of being housed in the district, accounts now will be hosted on servers owned by Microsoft in a manner similar to the way Google and other online email services host emails and documents. Cleary said the district is not pay-
ing for the service but paid consultants $30,000 to assist with migrating the accounts. Student accounts no longer will use the alamo.edu address and will use student.alamo.edu. Accounts of faculty, staff and administrators will continue to use alamo.edu. Students have until March 19 to retrieve email from the alamo.edu account. At that time, students will no longer have access to that account. For more information, visit www. a l a mo.e du / di st r i c t / i t / st u de nt email-questions/.
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Calendar For coverage in Calendar, call 210-486-1773 or email sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance. Today Friday SAC Meeting: Student Government Association noon-1 p.m. in health promotions office in Room 150 of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Workshop: “From Good to Great” leadership workshop 2 p.m.-3 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Continues 10 a.m-11 a.m. Tuesday. Call 210-486-0125. Trinity Lecture: Playwright Will Kern 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. in Room 142 of Chapman. Call 210-999-8511.
SAC Meeting: Onstage Drama Club noon-1 p.m. Friday in McCreless theater. Continues Fridays. Call 4860492. Saturday SAC Men’s Baseball: SAC vs. Southern Methodist University 10 a.m.noon at Mission County Park, 6030 Padre. Continues 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. and 10 a.m.-noon Sunday. Call 210486-0125.
Tuesday
The Mexican-American Engineers and Scientists sell chicken fajitas Jan. 31 in the mall to raise money for an October MAES symposium in Las Vegas. Ingrid Wilgen
Feb. 15 PAC Event: Workstudy job fair noon7 p.m. in student center annex. Bring résumé, drivers license and Social Security card. Call 210486-3131.
SAC Event: Valentine’s Masquerade Ball sponsored by Psychology Club 6 p.m.-10 p.m. at Koehler, 310 W Ashby. Free with SAC ID, $5 for nonstudents for tickets at office of student life. Call 210-486-0126. Feb. 16
SAC Event: Speech workshop b y Mark Bigelow 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday in McCreless theater. Continues Tuesdays. Call 486-0255. SAC Event: Student activity fee training 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. in craft room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Performance: Music faculty recital 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-486-0255. Lecture: “Recovering Warships from the Battle of Actium” by Dr. William M. Murray sponsored by the classical studies department 7:30 p.m.-8:45 p.m. in Room 126 of Chapman at Trinity University. Call 210-999-7653. Wednesday PAC Event: Rodeo Day 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in courtyard. Call 210-486-3125. PAC Event: Scholarship opportunity fair sponsored by center for academic transitions 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in student center annex. Call 210-486-3120.
SAC Performance: Recital for alumni of music department 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-486-0255. Feb. 17 Performance: Beethoven piano sonatas by Santiago Rodriguez sponsored by San Antonio International Piano Competition 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. in recital hall of Dicke/Smith at Trinity University. Call 210999-8212. Performance: “The Robber Bridegroom” directed by Tim Hedgepath 8 p.m.-10 p.m. in Stieren Theater at Trinity University. $6 students, $8-10 others. Continues Feb. 18, 2:30 p.m. Feb. 19 and 7 p.m. Feb. 22-Feb. 23. Call 210-999-8511.
Biology and mathematics sophomore Sarah Rodriguez takes nursing sophomore Abigail Duarte’s contact information at the Students United for the DREAM Act booth. Duarte said she is interested in finding ways to support allowing undocumented students to attend college and become citizens. Ingrid Wilgen
Event: “Immortals” screening 9 p.m.11:30 p.m. in Retama Auditorium at UTSA main campus. Continues 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Saturday. Call 210-458-6044. Feb. 18
SAC Lecture: Money Matters series “The Art of Budgeting” sponsored by the office of student life 11 a.m.-noon in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210486-0126.
SAC Men’s Baseball: SAC vs. Lone Star College at Kingwood 10 a.m.-noon and 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. at Mission County Park, 6030 Padre. Call 210-4860125.
SAC Workshop: “From Good to Great” leadership workshop by Mark Bigelow sponsored by the office of student life 2 p.m.-3 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Continues 10 a.m-11 a.m. Tuesday. Call 210-486-0125.
SAC Performance: Deaf hip-hop artist Sean Forbes 7 p.m.-9 p.m. sponsored by American Sign Language department in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210486-1111. Feb. 20
Event: “Coffeehouse Presents Music” 8 p.m.-10 p.m. in courtyard of university center at UTSA main campus. Call 210458-6044. Thursday SAC Event: Oxfam hunger banquet sponsored by the center for civic engagement 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. $2 or canned food donation. Call 210-486-0125.
SAC Recital: Faculty recital 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-486-0255. Feb. 22 NLC Recital: Faculty trumpet recital 7 p.m. in performing arts center. Email cmagee7@alamo.edu. Architecture sophomore Maya Martinez does leg lifts Tuesday in kinesiology Intructor Brad Dudney’s physical conditioning class in Candler. Ingrid Wilgen
News
Feb. 6, 2012
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Faculty Senate hears ideas on chair selection The Policy and Governance Committee reported Wednesday at Faculty Senate on general guidelines on the procedure for selecting chairs in response By ALMA LINDA to a district MANZANARES mandate that requires the amanzanares6 president rath@student.alamo.edu er than faculty to choose department leaders. The senate is charged with collaborating with Joint Chairs on recommendations for ways to carry out District Procedure D.2.3.2 Faculty and Department Chair Positions. Previously, faculty elected chairs every three years, and the college administration had the right
Scholarship deadline Friday Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology Awards, or META, provides scholarships to help shrink the financial burden of higher education. The scholBy OSITA arship affords the recipiOMESIETE ent $2,000 a sac-ranger@alamo.edu semester. Applicants must have a 2.5 grade-point average, be enrolled full time and major in one of the 35 approved META majors, such as biology, mathematics, chemistry and physics. Engineering Professor Dan Dimitriu said there is no set number of scholarship recipients. In the three years of the scholarship, it has been awarded to more than 300 students. Students who receive this scholarship are expected to complete an associate degree or a certificate or transfer to a four-year university in a timely manner. The purpose of the scholarship is to increase participation in engineering, mathematics, science and technology and to help students achieve their educational goals. “It is very successful. I am proud of our program. It was renewed after already being in place for three years,” Dimitriu said. To apply, students must complete and submit a FAFSA application to determine financial need, a college or high school transcript and two letters of recommendation. Students can pick up and submit applications until Friday in Room 328 of Chance Academic Center. Recipients must attend three counseling sessions each semester and mentor a student at this college after that first year. The mentee must also be in one of the approved majors. The scholarship is void once the awarded student transfers. Recipients must maintain a GPA of 2.5 and attend college full time. Recipients also must submit a META activity form at the end of each semester to document participation in META activities and meetings, and complete a survey to make suggestions to improve the program.
to veto the choice. The procedure now requires the president to select department chairs after posting positions, which are open to faculty from any of the district colleges as well as external candidates. Kinesiology and dance Chair Bill Richardson said the committee has come up with general guidelines for the college procedure: The president will provide a list of candidates and supporting documents to the department after closing the positions. The college executive team and department faculty and staff will independently review applications and develop a list of preferred candidates. Interviews will be held.
The executive team and department will meet separately to determine the top three to five candidates. The executive team and department will meet to try to reach a consensus on the selection. When consensus cannot be achieved, the president will make the final decision and provide to the department rationale for the decision. Richardson said other questions the committee will discuss include a mechanism for faculty to initiate a vote of no confidence at any time during a chair’s term and the continuation of the two-year evaluation of chairs by faculty. “Generally, it’s a lot of little processes, inside, revolving around the interview and the selec-
tion of candidates (such as) will the department have a little more weight than the executive team or will they be equal,” Richardson said. In other business, ad hoc committee Chair Alex Bernal, English professor, said he drafted a proposal for the addition of two adjunct faculty members with voting rights; however, the committee did not meet before the meeting. He motioned for Faculty Senate to include two adjunct representatives, increasing the senate to 26 members. “The two representatives will be chosen by established SAC adjunct process,” he said. The senate passed the motion unanimously.
Kinesiology and dance Chair Bill Richardson presents a set of general guidelines for the procedure of the selection of department chairs. Ingrid Wilgen
Board rejects November trustee election The Alamo Colleges board of trustees unanimously rejected a resolution to move its election date from May to November of even numbered years at its Jan. 24 meeting in Killen Center. The board considered the By JOSHUA measure because of changes FECHTER in Texas election law resulting from the enactment of Senate jfechter @student. alamo.edu Bill 100 during the 82nd session of the Texas Legislature. The bill states, “A county elections administrator is not required to enter into a contract to furnish election services” for an election on the second Saturday in May in an even-numbered year. In his presentation to the board, attorney David Méndez of Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta LLP said Jacquelyn F. Callanen, Bexar County elections administrator, said the Bexar County elections department would facilitate this year’s election despite the change in the law. Méndez said the law does not require trustees to move the election date. He said the Legislature passed the law because they were concerned May elections could conflict with primary elections. Méndez said scheduling a potential runoff election in a trustee race would not be affected if the Texas primary elections take place after the trustee election in May. He said May elections typically draw 5 percent
of registered voters and that moving the election to believes voters are accustomed to voting for school November would see a greater turnout. boards in May and federal elections in November. In May 2010, 4.84 percent or 24,767 voters cast “It occurs to me that in November, the voters have ballots of 511,508 registered voters. such an overload on politics that it’s very difficult District 5 trustee Roberto Zárate, District 6 for them to concentrate on races for school boards trustee Gene Sprague and District 7 trustee Blakely and things of that nature,” he said. Fernandez will be up for re-election on May 12. Rindfuss said even though fewer voters turn However, Méndez said that out in May, those voters are more because the elections departinformed. “I would ment would have to deploy more “I would rather have a conscirather have a equipment to accommodate entious voter in a smaller number conscientious more voters, holding an election than a high number that don’t voter in a smaller in November would cost more. know what they’re doing and just number than a He said holding the trustee pulling the lever to get out of the high number that elections in November during a booth,” he said. don’t know what presidential election year would District 1 trustee Joe Alderete they’re doing and mean the trustee race would be asked if the election date would placed further down the ballot. stay the same if the board took no just pulling the “The voter’s attention may action, and Méndez said yes. lever to get out of have been tested,” he said. However, Chancellor Bruce the booth.” Sprague said even if the trustLeslie asked the board to vote for James Rindfuss, ee race was at the top of the ballot, the record. District 9 trustee voters would not put as much Sprague motioned to reject the thought into voting for someone minute order, Zárate seconded it in that race because they are focused on the presiand the board passed it 8-0. dential race. District 7 trustee Blakely Fernandez was absent. “I think it’d be an extraordinarily bad idea to She said via text message Thursday that she was move it to November,” he said. unable to attend after the monthly meetings were District 9 trustee James Rindfuss said he moved to the third and fourth Tuesdays in January.
Three trustee positions on May 12 ballot Applications for trustee races accepted through March 5. The Alamo Colleges board of trustees election May 12 puts seats held by District 5 trustee Roberto Zárate, District 6 trustee Dr. Gene Sprague and District 7 trustee Blakely Fe r n a n d e z , By DIANA up for grabs. PALOMO Only the sac-ranger@alamo.edu residents in District 5, 6 and 7 will be allowed to cast ballots. Residents can file an application for place on the ballot 8 a.m.noon and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. today through March 5 at the Office of the Chancellor/Board Liaison, at 201 W. Sheridan. Applications are available there. Board liaison Sandra Mora wasn’t sure if they will be available online. Residents can mail applications to 201 W. Sheridan, Office of the Chancellor/Board Liaison, San
Antonio, TX 78204. Mora said the applications will give people an opportunity to run for the board of trustees. The board responsibilities in B.5.1 Policy are: Adopt and periodically review a state of philosophy that clarifies basic educational beliefs and education responsibilities of the college district to the community. Determine the quality of professional leadership needed to carry out the philosophy and objectives of the college district; select and appoint the chancellor and the district director of internal audit. Consider and act upon administrative recommendations concerning appointment, retention, or dismissal of other administrators, and of tenured and tenure-track faculty. Establish clearly defined person-
nel polices for employees of the college district. Approve uniform policies regarding admission, retention, scholastic standards, record-keeping, registration practices and regulations for student conduct. Review and take appropriate action on matters relating to site selection and physical plant development. Provide ways and means of financial support; approve the annual budget; review and approve expenditures. Approve courses and curricula for inclusion in educational programs of the colleges. Formulate such additional policies as are necessary to promote the educational program of the colleges. Review administrative recommendations and take action concerning employee benefit programs. Consider communications and
requests from citizens and organizations on matters of policy, administration, and other items of public concern affecting the College District. Serve as a final adjudicating agency for students, employees, and citizens of the college district on matters of board policy. Bear the legal responsibility for all aspects of the operation of the college district. The candidates will be chosen on the election day and they will be available for the public to view the ballot. The board members serve sixyear terms and begin immediately after election. Emails were not returned from the trustees up for election before press time. For more information about the ballot, call Mora at 210-485-0030 or email smora@alamo.edu.
Prem
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A history remembered February is a month of acknowledgement for the achievements by black Americans who had a significant role in American History. Black History Month originated half a century after the 13th Amendment abolished the inhumane act By ARTURO of slavery in the U.S. as a weeklong celMIRELES ebration. It was until the 1960s that the festivisac-ranger@alamo.edu ties of celebrating black history started to evolve into a monthlong celebration. This year’s theme for Black History Month is black women who have shaped the United States and its history. Since 1976, every United States president has officially recognized February as Black History Month. The events at this college are sponsored by the Black Student Alliance and follow the theme “black women who have shaped the United States and its history.” Last year, Alamo Colleges had events such lectures on the relevance of African-American history, a Buffalo Soldiers exhibit, and a read-in of “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.” This year, art Professor Marleen Hoover inaugurated the college’s observance of Black History Month with a presentation about Elizabeth Catlett Thursday in visual arts.
‘Steel Magnolias
Black History Month events Today PAC Event: “Crash” screening 9 a.m.-6 p.m. in Room 130 of the student center. Call 210-486-3125.
SPC Event: “The Story of Estevan” 6 p.m. in Watson. Call 210-4862887. Feb. 17
Wednesday SAC Event: Children’s storyteller 10 a.m.-11 a.m. in early childhood center, 210 W Ashby. Call 210-4860589.
Theater and speech sophomore Jill Anne Aden, as M’Lynn Eatenton, offers a glass of orange juice to theater sophomore Wendy Olivares, who plays her dau to help her recover from a drop in blood sugar during Tuesday’s rehearsal of “Steel Magnolias” in McCreless theater. Carmen Sanjuan
SPC Event: San Antonio Youth Wind Ensemble 9:45 a.m.-11:15 a.m. in Watson. Continues 8 p.m. Feb. 18. Call 210-486-2704. Feb. 18
SAC Exhibition: Photography of Bernice Appelin-Williams 2 p.m.-4 p.m. second and fourth floors of Moody. Continues through Feb. 29. Call 210-486-0589.
NVC Event: Master class session with jazz pianist Geri Allen and Alamo Colleges Jazz Allstars at 4 p.m. in Laurie Auditorium of Trinity University. Call 210-486-4828.
Thursday Feb. 20 SPC Lecture: “Keeper of the Dream” 11 a.m. in Watson. Call 210-486-2887. Friday SPC Event: Service learning project “A Day of Service” at 9:30 a.m. at Roseville Housing at Senior Opportunity Center, 4139 E. Houston. Call 210-486-2887.
SAC Lecture: “The Democratic Republic of the Congo: Hope or Desolation” by Peddar Panga, sponsored by Black Student Alliance 11 a.m.-11:50 a.m. in Room 120 of visual arts. Call 210-486-0589. NLC Workshop: “History Through Art” with Tivy Whitlock 12:40 p.m.1:30 p.m. in the ceramic lab, Room 106 of arts. Call 210-486-5404.
Feb. 14
Theater freshman Juliennne Ponce, as Claire Belcher, tells stories about life experiences to theater and speech sophomore Jill Anne Aden, playing M’lynn Ea as part of Tuesday’s rehearsal of “Steel Magnolias.” Carmen Sanjuan
Feb. 21 SAC Event: “The Dating Game” 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Loftin cafeteria. Call 210-486-0589. Feb. 15 SAC Event: Poetry slam 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Loftin cafeteria. Call 210486-0589. PAC Event: Gemini Ink presents “Black and Blue: 400 Years of Struggle and Transcendence” at 7 p.m. in performing arts. Call 210734-9673. Feb. 16 SAC Performance: Regency Jazz Band 11 a.m-1 p.m. in Loftin cafeteria. Call 210-486-0589. PAC Exhibition: The traveling exhibit “African American History” 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in student center annex. Call 210-486-3125.
SAC Event: “A Taste of Soul” sponsored by Black Student Alliance 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Loftin cafeteria. Call 210-486-0589. Feb. 22 PAC Event: “The Help” screening 9 a.m.-6 p.m. in Room 130 of student center. Call 210-486-3125. Feb. 28 SAC Event: African-American Readin 10:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m. in Loftin craft room. Call 210-486-1414. Feb. 29 SPC Event: Soul Food Taste and “Occupy St. Philip’s: Song of Protest” featuring Vincent C. Hardy 11:30 a.m. in Heritage Room. Call 210-4862887.
Exhibition brings scholarship A $200 scholarship toward art supplies will be awarded on Friday. A reception will close the Annual Juried Student Exhibition of artworks created by visual arts students from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday in the foyer of the visual arts center. At 5 p.m., ceramics Professor Susan Budge By HALY will announce the winLAM ner of the first James C. Elmore II Memorial Art sac-ranger@alamo.edu Scholarship. The winner will receive $200 to purchase art supplies. The reception coincides with Tobin Hills’ monthly “Art on the Hill” walk, which begins at 6 p.m. in the center. Visual arts Professor Rebecca Dietz said she scheduled the reception to coincide with the art walk to give students the opportunity to experience the event and receptions at galleries in Tobin Hill. Dietz said her goal is to inform, inspire, create and encourage contemporary art. She hopes “connecting with the community will increase the excitement” of the visual arts program.
Dietz, sponsor of the Student Art Guild, said she hopes students in the guild will take away the experience of maintaining a gallery on a business level while getting them involved socially. For the show ending Friday, visual arts faculty judged student work based on faculty members’ area of expertise and medium. This semester, art Professors Tom Willowme and Eduardo Rodriguez, volunteered to curate the show. “We had fun teaching the classes,” Willome said. He described the paintings as being “diverse.” Paintings are on display and the gallery is open to the public. President Robert Zeigler, approved arrangement for trollies that transport people from the reception to the Tobin Hill galleries throughout the night. Trollies begin at 6 p.m. on Lewis Street west of visual arts and run on the half hour until 8 p.m. The trolley continues to serve the other venues until 10 p.m. Each venue offers free admission and refreshments.
“Steel Magnolias” takes place in a bea
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s’ through thick and thin Friendships evolve and grow in the middle of a Southern beauty salon. The fine arts department presents the Southern comedy “Steel Magnolias” by Robert Harling for this semester’s first show. The play continues Thursday in the theater in McCreless Hall. Ronald Watson, theater instructor and play director, said he was fascinated by the nature of the story. By SILVIA “I chose it because of the familiarity with MILLAN the public, a play that anyone can relate to,” he said. sac-ranger@alamo.edu Those familiar with the 1989 film that featured Julia Roberts and Dolly Parton know what they are in for. Watson said “Steel Magnolias” was written in honor of the author’s deceased sister, who was also his best friend. The website enotes.com noted Harling had a hard time coping with her death caused by diabetes and wrote this play as a way to honor her life. Watson said he began casting in November. The play tells the story of a friendship among six women whose bond cannot break with age, money, distance or death. Shelby, the protagonist, is wrapped up in her upcoming wedding and move to another town. She leaves behind her loved ones: Clairee, the mayor of (fictional) Chinquapin, La.; beauty shop owner Truvy; neighbor Ouiser; newcomer Annelle, who holds a secret and works for Truvy; and Shelby’s loving mother, M’Lynn. Throughout the play, Shelby visits Chinquapin during the holidays and brings great news with her affecting her family and health. M’Lynn does not approve of Shelby’s decision to have a baby. Her doctor has told her that as a diabetic she could be risking her life. After Shelby gives birth, the story kicks up emotions that take the play in a different direction.
ughter,
atenton,
Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the theater in McCreless Hall through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Special showings offering American Sign Language interpreters will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission is $2 with an Alamo Colleges ID, $8 for high school and other college students with IDs and $10 general admission. For more information, call 210-486-0255.
Theater sophomore Caitlan Evermon, playing Annelle, listens to theater sophomore Devon Mendoza, as Ouiser Bordreaux, angrily confronts her about the custom of planting tomatoes Tuesday during a rehearsal of “Steel Magnolias” in the auditorium of McCreless. Carmen Sanjuan
auty salon where six women get together. They share stories, laughs, secrets and gossip with a lot of good humor. Carmen Sanjuan
View behind-the-scenes video at www.theranger.org
Vol. 86 Issue 11 • Single copies free • Feb. 11, 2012 • 210-486-1773 • theranger.org
Editorial
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Feb. 6, 2012
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Editor Joshua Fechter Managing Editor Alma Linda Manzanares News Editor Faith Duarte Sections Editor Jennifer M. Ytuarte Photo Editor Ingrid Wilgen Photo Team Janell Arnold, Mara Cuevas, Victoria Drumming, Nicole Henry, Eloy Hilburn, Alberto Penuelaz, Christopher Perez, Felipe Perez, Troy Renteria, Katrina Romero, Cecilia Tornel, Donna Quintana Multimedia Editor J. Almendarez Video Team Dee Dixon, Rachael Emond, Valerie Salazar, Carmen Sanjuan, Riley Stephens Illustrator Alexandra Nelipa Staff Writers Carla Aranguren, Jennifer Coronado, Melissa Gonzales, Kirk Hanes, Haly Lam, Jennifer Luna, Rachel McKee, Alicia Millan, Silvia Millan, Arturo J. Mireles, Ivie Okungbowa, Osita Omesiete, Diana Palomo, Darrell Payne, Janeka Porter, Rebecca Salinas, Matthew Schiffmacher Web Editors Jacob Beltran Robert Medina
©2012 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-4299. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. The Ranger news outlets, which serve the Alamo Community College District, are laboratory projects of journalism classes in the Department of Media Communications at San Antonio College. The Ranger is published Mondays except during summer, holidays and examinations. The Ranger Online is available at www.theranger.org. News contributions accepted by telephone (210-486-1773), by fax (210-486-9292), by email (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 of Loftin Student Center). Advertising rates available upon request by phone (210-486-1765) or as a download at www.theranger.org. The Ranger is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press and the Texas Community College Journalism Association.
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The Ranger invites readers to share views by writing letters to the editor. Space limitations force the paper to limit letters to two double-spaced, typewritten pages. Letters will be edited for spelling, style, grammar, libel and length. Editors reserve the right to deny publication of any letter. Letters should be mailed to The Ranger, Department of Media Communications, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-4299. Letters also may be brought to the newspaper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center, emailed to sac-ranger@alamo.edu or faxed to 210-486-9292. Letters must be signed and must include the printed name and telephone number. Students should include classification, major, campus and Banner ID. Employees should include title and telephone number. For more information, call 210-486-1773.
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Members of the Alamo Community College District community are permitted one free copy per issue because of high production costs. Where available, additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Ranger business office. Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single- copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and subject to college discipline.
Alexandra Nelipa
Nix closed sessions At its first meeting of the semester Jan. 18, Faculty Senate members met in an hour-long executive session to discuss the termination of a radiography instructor, the district’s new chair selection policy and relations with trustees. The senate is an advisory body and, therefore, not subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act that rules the conduct of elected government bodies. Such groups use executive session to discuss legal advice, property, gifts and donations, personnel and security. Senate Bylaw 8 says the chair may call the senate into executive session to discuss sensitive topics, but it does not specify what constitutes a sensitive topic. The senate risks irrelevance if it fails to discuss important and sensitive topics in public. What goes into the public record? What can senators pass on to constituents? Who gets to decide what faculty should or should not know about the opinions, decisions and activities of their representatives? At some point, constituents may wonder if their interests are actually being served. Eventually, they may simply lose interest.
In an Oct. 10 article in The Ranger, Faculty Senate Chair Dawn Elmore-McCrary said she did not want executive sessions to be used for venting. (How would anyone know?) It’s not uncommon for personnel issues to be discussed in private, but when a faculty member who is claiming sexual harassment is fired, there is enormous interest. In times when academic freedom, tenure and shared governance are under attack, the district move to appoint chairs is of substantial interest. As trustees seem increasingly impervious to faculty concerns, the topic of relations with the board are of particular interest. By meeting in closed session, senators send the message that they cannot express themselves publicly on “sensitive” issues without fear of retribution. What a great example for our student government, clubs and organizations. In the midst of a budget crisis and the hard decisions that come with it, apprehension is understandable, but Faculty Senate’s job is to stand up to a culture of fear, not succumb to it or propagate it.
Education up to you Did you have difficulty with registration or advising for this semester? The Alamo Community College District board of trustees passed a policy July 26 that established a Jan. 7 enrollment deadline for students. That was 10 days before the start of classes. Apparently the colleges missed that memo. Because faculty members were not expected to return to campus until Jan. 10, students had to schedule meetings with advisers before the end of the fall semester. Although the change in registration deadlines was finally communicated to the colleges, officials scrambled to ensure advisers were available to meet with students when the college reopened Jan. 3. This is inexcusable. District administration needs to keep the colleges and their students informed when decisions are made. Just as students need guidance from academic advisers, the colleges need information from district officials. However, this does not give students an excuse to blame the system for errors that
could be prevented. Students should get in the habit of meeting with an academic adviser as soon as possible rather than waiting until the final weeks of a semester. Student development classes teach new students important skills such as time management and maintaining contact with professors about progress in class, expecting students to carry on those skills throughout their college careers. Professors do not hold your hand as teachers do in high school. Keeping on top of your academic career could mean the difference between the ability to walk the stage at graduation or the need to spend another semester here. And district officials would do well to consider how their decisions affect students. For instance, students live paycheck to paycheck. Think about that when you set payment periods. Try imagining the world from their perspective — and on their calendar — for a change.
Feb. 6, 2012
News
The Ranger • 7
www.theranger.org
Mardi Gras dinner for 50th year Mortie Award to go to advisory committee member. The mortuary science department will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a Mardi Gras-themed event 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Feb. 21 at Koehler Cultural Center at 310 W. Ashby Place. The celebration will By CARLA include a remembrance tree ARANGUREN and ornament ceremony to honor former students who sac-ranger@alamo.edu have passed away, musical performances by students, refreshments and a Cajun dinner catered by Acadiana Café, which will feature Jambalaya and a choice of seafood, pork, chicken or beef. Beads will be given out to accentuate the Mardi Gras flavor. Purple, green and gold clothing is encouraged but not required. Tickets to the event are still available for $30 at the department. Mortuary science Chair Felix Gonzales will present O.C “Chet” Robbins, executive director of the Texas Funeral Service Commission, with the Mortie Award. Robbins has been a member of the department’s advisory committee for 12 years and was the first member to approach this college’s administration to add embalming services on campus. “He has distinguished himself, and that needs to be recognized.” Gonzales said. The faculty in the mortuary science department decide on the award recipient. The department has only awarded the Mortie Award three times in the past 50 years to honor individuals who set an example of excellence and dedication to the mortuary science department and its students.
Students socialize Wednesday during “The Breakfast,” a networking event sponsored by Rho Sigma Gamma in Room 234E of Nail. The mortuary science fraternity at this college includes women and men. Rho represents reverence for the dead, sigma reflects service for the living and gamma represents growth of self. Ingrid Wilgen James Kim, the first student to complete the mortuary science program here, also established the first western mortuary practice in Seoul, South Korea. He received the award in 2008. For more information, call Gonzales at 210-4861135 or email at fgonzales@alamo.edu.
GREEHEY DEGREE-COMPLETION SCHOLARSHIP Our Lady of the Lake University offers a degreecompletion scholarship for first-generation college students who are studying business at one of the Alamo College campuses. Eligible students who transfer to OLLU will receive a scholarship that covers half of tuition costs. Features of the William E. Greehey Scholars Program: • Scholarship covers up to half of tuition costs • Complete a Bachelor of Arts in Management in two years • Attend classes held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings Students applying for the William E. Greehey Scholars Program must: • Have an associate’s degree in Business from an Alamo College or hold at least 60 hours • Be at least 23 years old • Be one of the first in the family to attend college Learn more Call: 210-431-3961 Email: transfer@ollusa.edu
411 S.W. 24th Street San Antonio, TX 78207 210-434-6711 www.ollusa.edu
Pulse
8 • The Ranger
Feb. 6, 2012
www.theranger.org/pulse
Play it safe with condoms Free HIV tests The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 19 million new sexually transmitted infections occur each year and almost half are among 15- to 24-year-olds. According to the National Condom Week website, the primary goal of the observation is to provide educaBy MELISSA tional information through schools, univerGONZALES sities and family planning organizations to give people tools necessary to maintain good sac-ranger@alamo.edu sexual health. According to the American Social Health Association, the University of California-Berkley started National Condom Week in 1978 to raise awareness about the importance of safe sex, sexually transmitted diseases, sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. Paula Daggett, college health center coordinator and registered nurse, said, “Abstinence is the 100 percent way not to get an STD, HIV or pregnant, but the reality is that it doesn’t always happen.”
Counselors will be available for anyone who tests HIV positive. The website of the Centers for Disease Control states that if exposed to the HIV virus through sexual contact, STD-infected individuals are at least two to five times more likely than uninfected individuals to acquire the HIV infection.
PREVENTION
Stopthinkbesafe.org explains that research shows that latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, are highly effective in preventing the transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS and reduces the risk of contracting other STDs. However, the use of condoms alone does not eliminate the possibility of pregnancy or infection. Consumer Reports found no holes or tears in their Top Picks, but warns that standards allow a certain number of defects per batch. Bacterial STDs, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis, can be cured with antibiotics; however, viral STDs, such as genital herpes, are lifelong infections. On Tuesday, the office of student life will offer HIV testing in Planned Parenthood at 120 W. Ashby Place provides services Loftin Student Center. Daggett said this college tries to offer testing including birth control, testing and treatment of sexually transmitat least twice a semester. Free pizza, HIV education and testing will ted diseases for women and men. The cost for a package of STD testbe provided by University Health Systems. ing that includes chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV is $249. Testing will follow a noon presentation on HIV facts and prevenThere are many different resources that students can access on tion and a question-and-answer session. Free testing, private and and off campus for more STD information. confidential, is scheduled between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Peer Educators is a group of work-study counselors who are Results of a saliva swab are available within 20 minutes. available for student advising on personal or academic issues. Education sophomore Laura Martinez, a Peer Educators work-study student, said free condoms are available any time, no questions asked. Office hours in Room 118 of Chance Academic Center are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through DO use only latex or polyurethane (plastic) condoms. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. DO keep condoms in a cool, dry place. For more information about STD DO put the condom on an erect (hard) penis before there is any testing, call Planned Parenthood at contact with a partner’s genitals. 210-736-2475. DO use plenty of lubricant with latex condoms if you find vagiSome other helpful websites nal sex uncomfortable, or that condoms tend to rip or tear. include: http://goaskalice.columDO use water-based lubes, which are condom-friendly, but which bia.edu/, an online archive of might increase the risks of STDs with anal sex. health questions and answers DO use silicone-based lubricants for anal intercourse. from Columbia Health. DO hold the condom in place at the base of the penis before According to the withdrawing (pulling out) after sex. American Social Health DO throw the condom away after it’s been used. Association website, more than half of all people DON’T use out-of-date condoms. Check expiration. Old conwill have an STD or STI doms can be dry, brittle or weakened and can break. at some point in their lifeDON’T unroll the condom before putting it on an erect penis. time. DON’T leave condoms in hot places like a wallet or a car. If you are sexually active, DON’T use oil-based products, like baby or cooking oils, minimize your risk and the hand lotion or petroleum jelly (Vaseline®). Oil quickly risk to your partners. weakens latex and can cause condoms to break.
TESTING
Condom do’s, don’ts
DON’T use fingernails or teeth when opening a condom wrapper. It’s easy to tear the condom. If you do tear a condom, throw that condom away and get a new one. DON’T reuse a condom. Always use a new condom for each kind of sex you have. DON’T regularly use lubricants with spermicide called nonoxynol-9 (“N-9”) as they may cause skin irritation or tiny abrasions that make the genital skin more susceptible to infection. DON’T use water-based lubes for anal intercourse. Instead use silicone-based lubricants.
at 3 colleges
In recognition of 12th National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day a coalition of eight organizations will branch out to offer free HIV testing at San Antonio College, St. Philip’s College and the University of Texas at San Antonio. By DEE This is the fourth year that DIXON San Antonio area AIDS-focused nonprofits have collaborated sac-ranger@alamo.edu to participate in the national awareness day, said Michele Durham, executive director of BEAT AIDS. Last year, a total of 500 people were tested at all three institutions, Durham said. Of those there were 30 positive results, said sociology sophomore Justin Herrera, who is a risk reduction specialist at San Antonio Cares. “The epidemic seems to be reducing as far as spreading,” Durham said. “We’re not finding as much HIV and syphilis on the campuses.” That reduction shows the positive impact of the testing, education and people taking care of their lives, Durham said. On Tuesday, BEAT AIDS and the University Health System will perform the testing from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin Student Center. The organizations will distribute pamphlets and condoms in the mall. While people wait for the results of their rapid oral quick test, they will receive a one-on-one educational consultation, Herrera said. Anyone who receives a positive test for the antibodies that fight the virus will be directed to the San Antonio AIDS Foundation, 818 E. Grayson, for a follow-up test, consultation and health management. Testing at St. Philip’s will be from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today and Tuesday in the nursing center. Testing will occur for two says at St. Philip’s because there is a new mandate requiring nursing students to be tested. Organizers plan to test 300 nursing students at that college. To ensure enough testers are at St. Philip’s, testing will be done by seven agencies — BEAT AIDS, San Antonio Fighting Back, Center for Health Care Services, Hope Action Care, San Antonio Cares, San Antonio AIDS Foundation and South Texas Family AIDS Network. UTSA testing will be from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the UC Ballroom No. 2. BEAT AIDS, Hope Action Care and San Antonio AIDS Foundation will do the testing. San Antonio Cares will offer “The Blitz” block walk from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 23. A group will perform testing at the Walgreens at Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and New Braunfels. Another group will walk a 3-mile radius and perform on-site testing for those in high-risk categories and ones who have never been tested, Herrera said. For more information on the walk, call Herrera at 210-409-2400.
Consumer Reports on top brands
American Social Health Association
n San
Carme
Juan
Consumer Reports tested 500 samples of condoms and 200 models. To find out which prophylactics aced the rigorous February 2010 test, go to http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/shopping/ december-2009/sex-andt h e - s u p e r m a rk e t / t o p condoms/index.htm. LifeStyles Ultra Sensitive LifeStyles Warming Pleasure Trojan Ultra Thin Trojan Magnum Durex Performax Trojan Her Pleasure Ecstasy Trojan Ultra Ribbed Ecstasy